Rory McIlroy didn’t want to miss a chance to go to Disney World again, but Ernie Els felt the opposite about returning to Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy didn’t want to miss a chance to go to Disney World again, but Ernie Els felt the opposite about returning to Augusta National.
“To be honest with you, I won’t miss [Augusta National Golf Club]. ... I had enough of it – especially the last five years I played it terribly. … It was a f–king nightmare for the most part. … It’s like, ‘Sh-t, it’s not giving me anything. How many times do you want to run into a wall?’ That how I felt my last couple of years. I didn’t want to say it before, and I don’t have any bad feelings about it. It’s just the way it is. I had enough of it. Move on. It’s a unique place, but I’m done with it. It’s done with me.” – Ernie Els, on his decision to walk away from Augusta National
“If you come to Orlando, and you don’t go to the parks, you’re sort of missing out on something. Erica told me last year, the only reason I won this event is because we went to the Magic Kingdom on Friday. So I thought, let’s go back to Disney and have a good time again.” – Rory McIlroy, on visiting Disney World
“[My wife is] pretty tough, but basically [she said], ‘Hey, go get it done. You know what you’re doing out there. Don’t think about the other stuff. Get some rest and just go out there with a good attitude tomorrow and stop worrying about all the [other] things.” - Sam Saunders, on his wife’s pep talk after his opening-round 1-over 73.
“That picture of him in the navy top and these colored pants is a very iconic photo, so just trying to sort of emulate that a bit.” - Rory McIlroy, on his wardrobe tribute to Arnold Palmer
“He has the best Ferrari collection that I’ve ever seen in my life. I told him I could spend a whole day in his garage just walking around and seeing every inch and every detail of each car.” - Kiradech Aphibarnrat, on Ian Poulter’s car collection at his home in Orlando, Fla.
“Playing with Sam [Saunders] is always a pleasure, but not because he’s the grandson of Arnie but because of how nice of a guy he is. … I know how special this event is for all of us. I can only imagine how special it is for him.” - Rafa Cabrera Bello, on playing with Arnold Palmer’s grandson Sam Saunders
“I’ve become comfortable with the fact I’ve tried four times and I’ve failed. But Abraham Lincoln lost the first 13 elections he was ever in. He wound up being the President of the United States. So I’ve still got a bit of time.” - Rory McIlroy, on his chase for the career Grand Slam
“The best thing about winning was the feeling from the time that putt went in the hole until the time I got it out of the hole – that 15, 20 seconds is the feeling that every single player on the PGA Tour is out here for. I’m going to keep going back for that feeling.” - Keith Mitchell, on his win at the Honda Classic